Peer-to-peer hospitality services, such as Airbnb and Couchsurfing, have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. This is due, in part, to the growing sharing economy. These services allow people to connect with others who have space to share or need a place to stay. This can be a great way to save money on travel accommodation, meet new people, and get an insider’s view of a destination.
However, the potential risk of getting in danger using these new hospitality services is immense. It’s only recently when a Californian couple died from a gas leak in Mexico.
The problem with these hospitality sites is no real regulation behind them. There also isn’t a great safety precaution implemented for these sites. Both renters and hosts can be in trouble if dangers arise on the property. If you have a listing on Airbnb or another peer-to-peer hospitality website, you must take these precautions.
Do a thorough background check on your guests
Some guests might not have the best intentions when they stay at your place. Therefore, it’s crucial that you do a thorough background check on your guests before letting them stay at your place. This includes checking their social media profiles, looking up their name online, and running a criminal background check. You can also ask for references from other hosts.
Some sites like Airbnb can review renters, which can be essential information to you as a host. Make sure to browse them when you can.
Have a solid rental agreement
A rental agreement is a must-have when renting out your space. This document should outline the terms and conditions of the stay, including payment, cancellations, and damages. Having this in place can help protect you from any legal issues. In addition, this can be a good reference for guests who have a ton of questions.
Be available to answer questions or deal with problems 24/7
As a host, you should be available to answer questions or deal with problems 24/7. This means having a phone number or email address that guests can reach you at any time of day. If there’s an emergency, you need to be able to respond quickly.
Take precautions against fire hazards
Fire hazards are one of the biggest dangers when renting out your space. About a million fires happen every year in the United States. To prevent this from happening to your property, you should have fire extinguishers in your property. You should also have an evacuation plan in place in case of a fire.
Inform your neighbors about your rental arrangement
If you’re going to be renting out your space for a short period of time, it’s important to inform your neighbors about it. This will help them understand why there are strange people coming and going from your property. It will also help if they need to contact you in an emergency.
Make sure your property meets all safety standards
Some peer-to-peer hospitality service sites have safety standards in place for your property. Although they won’t check all of them, it’s good to follow them whenever you can. One of the essential safety standards is having all sorts of detectors on your property.
Have detectors in place
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must-have in any property. You should also have detectors for gas leaks, water damage, and fires. Many of these detectors are very affordable and can be bought at your local hardware store.
You should also have a radon detector installed. Radon is a naturally-occurring gas, and in high amounts, it can be lethal to people. It’s quite common in the country. Having a good radon mitigation system in place can also help. This can be useful in preventing radon poisoning inside your property.
Install a security system with cameras
If you’re really worried about the safety of your property, you should install a security system with cameras. This will help deter any criminals from targeting your property. It will also help you keep an eye on what’s going on at all times.
Having a security system can also help with insurance claims in case something happens to your property.
Get liability insurance
Liability insurance is a must-have for any property owner. This type of insurance will protect you from any lawsuits that may arise from your guests. It can also save you a lot of money in the long run. It’s important to have this in place before you start renting out your space.
You can get liability insurance through many different companies. Some companies even offer it as part of their package deal.
Hire a property manager
If you have many properties, you can always hire a property manager to take care of these things. This person will be responsible for dealing with guests, cleaning the property, and dealing with any problems that may arise. They will also take care of all the paperwork for you.
This is a good option if you’re not interested in the hassle of dealing with guests yourself. It can also be helpful if you’re not located near your property.
There are many things to think about when renting out your space. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your property is safe and compliant with all safety standards, and you can rent it in peace.
